The Essential Roy Acuff (Columbia/Legacy)

The name Roy Acuff is often rightfully preceded with the word "Legendary" or the phrase "Father of Country Music" and this anthology offers undeniable evidence why. Among the original Vocalion, Okeh and Columbia recordings (circa the 1930s and 40s) featured are "I Saw The Light," "Tennessee Waltz," "Great Speckle Bird," "Night Train To Memphis," "Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain" and "Wabash Cannonball". Immediately striking is the brilliant sound, which literally leaps from the speakers, defying the age of these sides -- some of which are nearly 70 years old. The package also contains a 12-page liner booklet with never-before-published photos and a newly-penned historical essay.

The Essential Chet Atkins: The Columbia Years  (Columbia/Legacy)

Another figure that is indelibly linked to country music is Chet Atkins (guitar). By the time of these 15 selections, he had already spent the better part of four decades as a primary force in Nashville -- both in front of and behind the microphone. In fact, it would be accurate to say that he led a sort of double life as a peerless guitarist and shrewd businessman/producer. The material assembled here comes from the eight long players that Atkins? cut during his decade-plus tenure with Columbia (1983 -- 1994). Collaborations with Dire Straits' Mark Knopfler ("Poor Boy Blues," "I'll See You In My Dreams" and "So Soft, Your Goodbye"), the six-string mastery of Aussie Tommy Emmanuel ("Dixie McGuire" and the medley of "Road To Gundaghi/Waltzing Matilda") as well as Jerry Reed ("Sneakin' Around") are among the zeniths featured on this 15-song set.

The Essential David Allan Coe (Columbia/Legacy)

While there are numerous "best of" and "greatest hit" collections available from the infamous musical renegade, this is one of the only discs to venture into David Allan Coe's mid-to-late 1980s catalogue, not to mention benefit from recent technological audio advancements. "You Never Even Call Me By My Name," "Take This Job And Shove It," "Now I Lay Me Down To Cheat," "Longhaired Redneck," "Willie, Waylon & Me," "If That Ain't Country," the inebriation anthems "Jack Daniel's If You Please" and "Tennessee Whiskey," as well as "Don't Cry Darlin'" -- featuring a spoken recitation from another old-school country music rebel George Jones -- are but a few of the 14 classics included here. There are also new liner notes and rare photos in the accompanying booklet.

The Essential Merle Haggard: The Epic Years (Epic/Legacy)

Rightfully titled "The Epic Years", Merle Haggard's third decade as a seminal figure in country music was heralded by his bountiful residency at Epic Records, adding significantly to his voluminous legacy. "Big City," "Going Where The Lonely Go," "That's The Way Love Goes," "Someday When Things Are Good," "Let's Chase Each Other Around The Room," as well as the duets "Yesterday's Wine" (George Jones), "Pancho And Lefty" (Willie Nelson) and "A Place To Fall Apart" (Janie Fricke) are some of the chart-topping singles featured on this collection. The top-shelf audio is to be commended in hopes that each of Haggard's albums get similar treatment in the near future.